Received unexpected $80 payment from Social Security before first retirement check - what is this?

Those $80 payments sound like they might be what's called a one-time, lump-sum death benefit payment. Did either of you list a deceased relative (like a parent) on your application? SSA sometimes processes these automatically when you file for retirement benefits if you were eligible but never received it. It's a fixed amount that hasn't changed in decades.

my mom got something similar when she started her SS last year... turned out it was some kind of partial payment for the first month because she applied in the middle of a month or something like that? i dont remember exactly but it wasnt a mistake, they meant to send it

SAME THING happened to me in November!! I got $75 random payment before my regular check started. When I FINALLY got through to someone at SSA (took THREE DAYS of calling), they said it was a prorated partial month payment because of when my entitlement date started versus when my regular payment cycle begins. The rep said it happens all the time but they don't explain it well to people!!! So frustrating!!

What you're seeing is most likely a partial month benefit payment. Social Security payments are made for the previous month (your January payment covers December benefits). When you first file, depending on your entitlement date, they sometimes have to send a smaller partial payment to cover a specific time period before your regular payment cycle begins. For example, if your entitlement date was December 15th, they might send a partial payment covering December 15-31 separately, then your regular full monthly benefit would start at the end of January for the entire month of January. The fact that both you and your husband received identical amounts is probably coincidental or because you applied on the same day with similar circumstances. This is completely normal and the money is yours to keep. You should see your regular full benefit amount on your scheduled payment date.

i got a weird payment when I started collecting too but mine was like $43 and came right before my first check... nobody explains ANYTHING anymore with social security, its like they expect you to just figure it all out yourself

If you need to confirm what these payments are, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to a Social Security agent quickly. I was having the same issue with unexpected deposits after filing and spent days trying to get through. Used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes who explained everything. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent told me mine was a partial month payment too. Apparently it's very common but they don't send any notification explaining what it is.

wait so do we get these little payments every month or just the first time?? im applying next month when i turn 62

Has anyone else noticed how IMPOSSIBLE it is to get answers from SSA about ANYTHING?? It's like they DELIBERATELY try to confuse us! Every time I call I get different answers! Why can't they just send a simple explanation with these random payments????

For future reference, the MySocialSecurity online account can sometimes show these payments and explain what they are. If you haven't created an account yet, I highly recommend it. You can see your payment history, benefit verification letters, and manage direct deposit information without calling. Might have saved you some confusion in this case.